~Sebile~


We had been struggling through the labyrinth for almost a day now. Without rest, but then my men and I were used to such conditions.
I did however decide that it was time to rest for a moment or two, certainly it was time to eat. We would need the energy later on, I’m sure.
Since we were inside a labyrinth we did not set up camp but merely dismounted and made ourselves as comfortable as we could on the ground.

I decided to change, since I was still wearing ridiculous woman’s garments, at least ridiculous in my eyes. I cannot understand how women in this lands can walk round in this dresses, it is not suitable for battle. But then I knew that not many women, if any at all did go out to battle in this land.
This garments did however come in handy while talking to Mordred, ah yes Mordred.
My thoughts drifted to him…what was he doing right now…would he and the other knights be in trouble?

I hid behind my horse and hung my robe so I could not be seen by the men. Then changed into my usual robes, silk trousers and a tunic, as was the custom in my old land. I then strapped on my sword and dagger, together with my other weapons.
My hair was now flowing free down my back.

Thinking back on all the events that had taken place this last few days I felt a huge burden drop on my shoulders. I had never been alone in my life, and now not only was I alone but I was leading my men into battle, a battle that was not my own and one that could mean the end of their lives.
Was I able to muddle through? Was I able to go into battle without Hector?
He had always been by my side, and now I would have to fend for myself, for the first time.

I leaned back against the labyrinth wall. It felt cold and damp against my back and I could feel the ivy press against my neck.
I closed my eyes for a moment, taking a full breath of air.
This place I was in, it had the smell of death. I could feel the danger grow stronger in every breath and the closer we got to Tanglewood Castle the more I feared for my men as well as the knights.

Suddenly I felt something tighten around my arms and legs. As I looked down I was being slowly covered and surrounded my the very ivy I was leaning against.
It sneaked it’s way up to my neck and I could barely take breath let alone scream for help.
There was not a muscle in my body I cold move and the more I struggled the more I felt I would suffocate.
The world around me began to turn black and I could feel myself drift off. I was sure I would die any moment.

As I came to, I found myself in the arms of Mordred. He along with some of my men had cut me loose from the ivy.
They were now surrounding me while the rest kept watch.
Mordred wrapped his strong arms around me and helped me to my feet. Gently brushed the hair of my forehead and ask me if I felt well enough to stand.

“But, what are you doing here?” I asked him. “You are supposed to be riding with Bors.”
“Why…” I coughed. My throat was very sore for the suffocation I had just suffered.

“Don’t speak Sebile. I followed you, that is why I am here.” Was his reply. “I wanted to ride by your side.”
“Are you well enough to stand, perhaps you should lie down.” He continued as he held me tighter and closer against his chest.

I allowed myself to fall into his arms and be held. At the moment it gave me great comfort.

Suddenly he whispered into my ear…
“I have never held a woman like you Sebile, The feel of your foreign garments make you feel almost nude to the touch. I can feel every inch of your body pressed against mine.”

As he spoke those words I was brought back to reality and stepped away from him.
“Thank you for saving me Mordred, I owe you my life. I will not forget this.”
“But for now we must get back to the task at hand.” I continued.

“The task at hand? What words are this? Sebile, you make me long for you and you push me away? After last night I though…”

I interrupted him by saying:
“Mordred, I have never given myself to any man and today is not the day for it. What happened last night was…well, we will discuss that when there is time for it. But not now…I feel better now and we should continue our ride to the castle.”

In the ancient language I called for my men to mount and felt Mordred’s eyes on me as I mounted my horse and approached him to invite him to ride by my side. He looked up at me and mounted his steed.

We rode in silence for what seemed like a long time.
All we could see was the ivy against the walls of the labyrinth in all directions as fog seemed to follow us while moving through the maze.
There was a thick fog just feet above us, that seemed to move in our same direction.

After a few hundred feet of turns, some of them dead ends, there seemed to be light up ahead.
Then the fog cleared and we could see the great walls of the castle just in front of us.
A strong chill came over me as I wondered what would happen next.

I felt the strong hand of Mordred against the small of my back, as I turned to my side to look at him, he asked:

“Are you ready for this?”